Chapter 60—The Tract Societies
In my last vision I was pointed back to the rise and progress of
the cause of present truth. When our publishing house at Battle Creek
was first established, the friends of the cause were few, and our people
generally were poor. But when calls for help were made many came
nobly forward and aided the cause by taking stock in the publishing
work. The Lord was well pleased with the spirit of sacrifice manifested.
Twenty-six years have passed since that time, and in the providence
of God the light of truth has been shining everywhere. The beginning
was small, and it was necessary that great sacrifices should be made
by the early friends of the cause. At every step great obstacles had to
be met and overcome. Our brethren who invested their means in the
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Review office were doing the very work which the Lord would have
them do. He had given them means to be used for the very purpose of
advancing His cause.
The lapse of time has brought great changes. Light has increased
and has become widespread. While the people who are anxious for
truth have been calling, “Watchman, what of the night?” the answer
has been given intelligently, “The morning cometh, and also the night.”
By a thorough investigation of the prophecies we understand where
we are in this world’s history; and we know for a certainty that the
second coming of Christ is near. The result of these investigations
must be brought before the world through the press. And as the work
has enlarged and increased, greater facilities have been demanded
from year to year; improvements have gone steadily forward. It has
been a cause of wonder to the world that with this unpopular truth
such prosperity should attend the work. But with increased light
and confirmed truth, and greater advantages in every way for the
advancement of the cause, our works do not correspond with our faith.
If it was right for brethren to take stock in our publishing house
when our work was small and our influence narrow, is it not of more
consequence today when a much larger work is going forward and
a corresponding increase of means is needed? The evidences of our
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